Optical head device and optical information recording/reproducing device

ABSTRACT

In an optical head device and an optical information recording/reproducing device using the optical head device, by driving a liquid crystal panel  4   a , the liquid crystal panel  4   a  produces wave aberration for light on a going path and light on a returning path likewise. Accordingly, when the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the disc  7  is corrected, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the disc  7  and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel  4   a  are canceled by each other for both of the light on the going path and the light on the returning path, so that no wave aberration remains for the light on the returning path and the phase distribution is not varied.

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/117,998, filed Apr. 9, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical head device and an optical information recording/reproducing device for recording/reproducing information on an optical recording medium and particularly, to an optical head device and an optical information recording/reproducing device which can correct spherical aberration due to a deviation in the thickness of the substrate of the optical recording medium and coma aberration due to a tilt of the optical recording medium by using a liquid crystal panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

The recording density of an optical information recording/reproducing device is in inverse proportion to the square of the diameter of a focused light spot which is formed on an optical recording medium by an optical head device. That is, as the diameter of the focused light spot is smaller, the recording density is increased. The diameter of the focused light spot is in inverse proportion to the numerical aperture of an objective lens in the optical head device. That is, as the numerical aperture of the objective lens is higher, the diameter of the focused light spot is reduced. On the other hand, when the thickness of the substrate of the optical recording medium is deviated from the design value thereof, the shape of the focused light spot is distorted due to spherical aberration caused by the deviation of the thickness of the substrate, so that the recording/reproducing characteristic is deteriorated. The spherical aberration is proportional to the fourth power of the numerical aperture of the objective lens, and thus the margin of the thickness deviation of the substrate of the optical recording medium to the recording/reproducing characteristic is narrower as the numerical aperture of the objective lens is increased.

Further, when the optical recording medium is tilted relatively to the objective lens, the shape of the focused light spot is distorted due to coma aberration caused by the tilt, so that the recording/reproducing characteristic is deteriorated. The coma aberration is proportional to the third power of the numerical aperture of the objective lens, and thus the margin of the tilt of the optical recording medium to the recording/reproducing characteristic is narrower as the numerical aperture of the objective lens is increased. Accordingly, for an optical head device and an optical information recording/reproducing device in which the numerical aperture of the objective lens is increased to enhance the recording density, it is necessary to correct the substrate-thickness deviation and tilt of the optical recording medium in order to prevent deterioration of the recording/reproducing characteristic.

An optical head device using a liquid crystal panel is known as an optical head device which can correct the substrate-thickness deviation and tilt of the optical recording medium. FIG. 14 shows the construction of a conventional optical head device which can correct the substrate-thickness deviation and tilt of the optical recording medium by using a liquid crystal panel.

The optical head device shown in FIG. 14 is the same type as described in Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Part 1 of Vol. 38, No. 3B, pp. 1744-1749. A beam emitted from a semiconductor laser 1 is collimated by a collimator lens 2, and incident as P-polarized light to a polarization beam splitter 3. Substantially 100% of the P-polarized light is transmitted through the polarization beam splitter 3, then transmitted through a liquid crystal panel 4 v and a quarter wavelength plate 5 to be converted from linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light, and then the circularly-polarized light is focused onto a disc 7 by an objective lens 6. Light reflected from the disc 7 is transmitted through the objective lens 6 in the opposite direction, and then transmitted through the quarter wavelength plate 5 to be converted from the circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is perpendicular to that of the linearly polarized light on the going path. The linearly polarized light transmitted through the quarter wavelength plate 5 is transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 4 v, and then incident as S-polarized light to the polarization beam splitter 3. Substantially 100% of the S-polarized light is reflected from the polarization beam splitter 3, transmitted through a cylindrical lens 8 and a lens 9 and then detected by a photodetector 10. The photodetector 10 is disposed at the intermediate position between the line foci of the cylindrical lens 8 and the lens 9.

FIG. 15 shows a pattern of the photodetection portion of the photodetector 10.

A light spot 19 corresponding to the light reflected from the disc 7 is detected by photodetection portions 18 a to 18 d achieved by dividing the photodetection portion of the photodetector 10 into four parts by a dividing line passing through the optical axis and extending in parallel to the radial direction of the disc 7 and a dividing line passing through the optical axis and extending in parallel to the tangent line direction of the disc 7.

Representing the outputs of the photodetection portions 18 a to 18 d by V18 a to V18 d respectively, a focus error signal can be achieved from the calculation of (V18 a+V18 d)—(V18 b+V18 c) on the basis of the astigmatism method. A track error signal can be also achieved from the calculation of (V18 a+V18 b)−(V18 c+V18 d) on the basis of the push-pull method. A reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 is achieved from the calculation of (V18 a+V18 b+V18 c+V18 d).

FIG. 16A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 v.

The liquid crystal panel 4 v has glass substrates 11 x and 11 y, and a liquid crystal portion 12 n filled with liquid crystal molecules, which is sandwiched between the glass substrates 11 x and 11 y. A pattern electrode 13 m is formed on one surface of the glass substrate 11 x which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 n, and also an overall-surface electrode 14 g is formed on one surface of the glass substrate 11 y which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 n. The positions of the pattern electrode 13 m and the overall-surface electrode 14 g may be replaced by each other. The X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction in FIGS. 16A to 16C correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively.

FIG. 16B shows an electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v. This electrode pattern 20 a is divided into five areas 21 a to 21 e. The dotted line of FIG. 16B corresponds to the effective diameter of the objective lens 6. FIG. 16C shows an electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v. This electrode pattern 20 b is divided into five areas 21 f to 21 j. The dotted line of FIG. 16C corresponds to the effective diameter of the objective lens 6.

Next, a method of correcting the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

The correction of the substrate-thickness deviation is performed by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v having the pattern electrode 13 m on which the electrode pattern 20 a shown in FIG. 16B is formed. FIG. 17A shows a calculation example of the spherical aberration caused by the substrate-thickness deviation on the cross section in the radial direction of the disc 7. The abscissa represents the radius of the objective lens, and the ordinate represents wave aberration achieved by applying defocus to the spherical aberration. In FIG. 17A, a solid line represents wave aberration when the substrate-thickness deviation is not corrected, and it is represented by a biquadratic function of the radius of the objective lens 6. A dotted line represents wave aberration when the substrate-thickness deviation is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v, and it is represented by the sum of the wave aberration before the correction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v. The wave aberration varies discontinuously at the boundaries of the areas 21 a to 21 e of FIG. 16B. It is apparent from FIG. 17A that the standard deviation of the wave aberration is reduced by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v and the substrate-thickness deviation can be corrected.

FIG. 17B shows a calculation example of the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v on the cross section in the radial direction of the disc 7. The abscissa represents the radius of the objective lens 6, and the ordinate represents the correction amount of the wave aberration. The correction amount in each of the areas 21 a and 21 e of FIG. 16B is equal to zero, the correction amount in the areas 21 b and 21 d is represented by α, and the correction amount in the area 21 c is represented by 2α (α represents a constant).

A method of correcting the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 18.

The correction of the tilt in the radial direction is performed by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v having the pattern electrode 13 m on which the electrode pattern 20 b shown in FIG. 16C is formed. FIG. 18A shows a calculation example of the coma aberration on the cross section in the radial direction of the disc 7, which is caused by the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7. The abscissa represents the radius of the objective lens 6, and the ordinate represents the wave aberration achieved by applying a lateral shift to the coma aberration. In FIG. 18A, a solid line represents the wave aberration when the tilt in the radial direction is not corrected, and it is represented by a tertiary function of the radius of the objective lens 6. A dotted line of FIG. 18A shows the wave aberration when the tilt in the radial direction is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v, and it is represented by the sum of the wave aberration before the correction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v. The wave aberration varies discontinuously at the boundaries of the areas 21 f to 21 j of FIG. 16C. It is apparent from FIG. 18A that the standard deviation of the wave aberration is reduced by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v, and thus the tilt in the radial direction can be corrected.

FIG. 18B shows a calculation example of the wave aberration on the cross section in the radial direction of the disc 7, which is produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v. The abscissa represents the radius of the objective lens 6, and the ordinate represents the correction amount of the wave aberration. The correction amount in each of the areas 21 f and 21 i of FIG. 16C is represented by −β, the correction amount in the area 21 h is equal to zero, and the correction amount in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j is represented by β (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 v will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A to 19C.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrode 14 g of FIG. 16A. The abscissa of FIGS. 19A to 19C represents the time, and the ordinate thereof represents the applied voltage. In FIGS. 19A to 19C, a solid line represents a voltage applied to first to third areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A, and it is represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz, which has V_(COM) at the center thereof and has the amplitude corresponding to V1 (V2, V3). At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b and 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a and 21 e are set to third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality coefficient), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α.

In the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g and 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f and 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality coefficient), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

FIG. 20 shows the construction of an optical information recording/reproducing device having the optical head device using the liquid crystal panel 4 v.

The optical information recording/reproducing device is constructed by adding a reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 d to the optical head device shown in FIG. 14. The reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 detects a reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 on the basis of the output of each photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10. The liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 d drives the liquid crystal panel 4 v according to the driving method shown in FIG. 19 so that the amplitude of the reproduction signal is maximum, whereby the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected, thereby avoiding the harmful influence on the recording/reproducing characteristic.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n in FIG. 16A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ of FIGS. 19A to 19C are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction when V₁ to V₃ of FIGS. 19A to 19C are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions when V₁ to V₃ of FIGS. 19A to 19C are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ of FIGS. 19A to 19C are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 v has only an extraordinary light component. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 v has only an ordinary light component. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 v has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 n, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 v according to the driving method of FIGS. 19A to 19C, the liquid crystal panel 4 v produces wave aberration to light on the going path which corresponds to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1. The reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C, so that the light from the liquid crystal panel 4 v is ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero. That is, even by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 v according to the driving method shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C, the liquid crystal panel 4 v does not produce the wave aberration to light on the return path which corresponds to the reflection light from the disc 7.

When the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected in the conventional optical head device, if (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path. However, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation remains for the light travelling on the returning path. Further, when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in the conventional optical head device, if (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 v are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, however, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction remains for the light traveling on the returning path. The reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 and the track error signal are dependent on the intensity distribution of the light travelling on the returning path, however, they are not dependent on the phase distribution of the light. Therefore, the reproduction signal and the track error signal are not affected even when the phase distribution is varied due to the remaining wave aberration. On the other hand, a focus error signal is affected when the phase distribution is varied due to the remaining wave aberration because it is dependent on the intensity distribution and phase distribution of the light travelling on the returning path.

FIGS. 21A to 21C are calculation examples of the focus error signal and the peak intensity of a focused spot on the disc 7. The abscissa of FIGS. 21A to 21C represents defocus. In FIGS. 21A to 21C, a solid line represents a focus error signal standardized with a sum signal, and a dotted line represents the peak intensity of the focused spot standardized by the maximum value.

FIG. 21A shows a calculation example when the disc 7 has no substrate-thickness deviation and no tilt in the radial direction. In the case of FIG. 21A, the defocus at which the focus error signal is equal to zero is coincident with the defocus at which the peak intensity is maximum, the focus error signal has no offset and the sensitivity (an inclination at the zero cross point) of the focus error signal is high.

On the other hand, FIG. 21B shows a calculation example when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v. In the case of FIG. 21B, the sensitivity of the focus error signal is high, however, the defocus at which the focus error signal is equal to zero is not coincident with the defocus at which the peak intensity is maximum, and the focus error signal has an offset. Therefore, if the focus servo is carried out so that the focus error signal is equal to zero, the peak intensity is reduced, and the recording/reproducing characteristic is deteriorated.

FIG. 21C shows a calculation example when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 v. In the case of FIG. 21C, the defocus at which the focus error signal is equal to zero is coincident with the defocus at which the peak intensity is maximum, and the focus error signal has no offset. However, the sensitivity of the focus error signal is lower than that of FIG. 21A. Therefore, if the focus servo is carried out so that the residual error of the focus error signal is equal to a predetermined value, the residual error of the defocus is larger than that of FIG. 21A, so that the recording/reproducing characteristic is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above disadvantages of the conventional optical head device which can correct the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of an optical recording medium by using a liquid crystal panel, and provide an optical head device and an optical information recording/reproducing device in which a focus error signal has no offset and the sensitivity of the focus error signal is high even when the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel.

In order to attain the above object, according to the present invention, an optical head device comprising a light source, an objective lens for focusing onto an optical recording medium the light which is emitted from the light source and travels on a going path, a photodetector for detecting the light which is reflected from the optical recording medium and travels on a returning path, and a liquid crystal panel for producing wave aberration by which the wave aberration of the light traveling on the going path is canceled, wherein the liquid crystal panel further produces wave aberration by which the wave aberration of the light traveling on the returning path is canceled.

In the optical head device of the present invention, by driving the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel produces wave aberration for both of the light emitted from the light source and travelling on the going path and the light reflected from the optical recording medium and travelling on the returning path likewise.

In an optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention, the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of an optical recording medium is corrected so as to exclude an adverse effect on a recording/reproducing characteristic by using an optical head device of the present invention which can correct the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium by using a liquid crystal panel.

When the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium is corrected in the optical head device and the optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation or the tilt and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel are likewise canceled by each other for both of the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path, so that no wave aberration remains and the phase distribution is not varied for the light traveling on the returning path. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a second embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a third embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a fourth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a seventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of an eighth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a ninth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a tenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of an eleventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a twelfth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a thirteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a fourteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel of a fifteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the construction of a conventional optical head device;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a pattern of a photodetecting portion of a photodetector in the conventional optical head device;

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the construction of a liquid crystal panel in the conventional optical head device;

FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode when the substrate-thickness deviation of an optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel;

FIG. 16C is a diagram showing an electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode when the tilt in the radial direction of the optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel;

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing a calculation example of spherical aberration caused by the substrate-thickness deviation on the cross section in the radial direction of the optical recording medium;

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a calculation example of wave aberration on the cross section in the radial direction of the optical recording medium, which is produced by the liquid crystal panel;

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing a calculation example of coma aberration on the cross section in the radial direction of the optical recording medium, which is caused by the tilt in the radial direction;

FIG. 18B is a diagram showing a calculation example of wave aberration on the cross section in the radial direction of the optical recording medium, which is produced by the liquid crystal panel;

FIGS. 19A to 19C are diagrams showing a method of driving the liquid crystal panel in the conventional optical head device;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the construction of a conventional optical information recording/reproducing device; and

FIGS. 21A to 21C are diagrams showing a calculation example of a focus error signal and the peak intensity of a focused light spot on the optical recording medium, in which FIG. 21A shows a calculation example when the optical recording medium has no substrate-thickness deviation and no tilt in the radial direction, FIG. 21B shows a calculation example when the substrate-thickness deviation of the optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel, and FIG. 21C shows a calculation example when the tilt in the radial direction of the optical recording medium is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an optical head device according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A in the conventional optical head device shown in FIG. 14 is replaced by a liquid crystal panel 4 a. The pattern of the photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 15. According to this embodiment, a focus error signal, a track error signal and a reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 are achieved in the same manner as described on the conventional optical head device.

FIG. 2A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 a.

The liquid crystal panel 4 a is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 a is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 a and 11 b, a liquid crystal portion 12 b is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 c and 11 d, and the glass substrates 11 b and 11 c are attached to each other so that the surfaces thereof at the opposite sides to the liquid crystal portion side are confronted to each other. A pattern electrode 13 a is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 a which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 a) side, an overall-surface electrode 14 a is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 b which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 a) side, a pattern electrode 13 b is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 c which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 b) side and an overall-surface electrode 14 b is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 d which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 b) side. The pattern electrode 13 a and the overall-surface electrode 14 a may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 b and the overall-surface electrode 14 b may be positionally replaced by each other.

In FIG. 2A, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. The same electrode pattern as shown in FIG. 16B is formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a and 13 b when the substrate-thickness deviation is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 a. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

The same electrode pattern as shown in FIG. 16C is formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a and 13 b when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 a. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

The liquid crystal panel 4 a may be manufactured by forming an assembly of the glass substrates 11 a, 11 b and the liquid crystal portion 12 a and an assembly of the glass substrates 11 c, 11 d and the liquid crystal portion 12 b separately from each other and then attaching the assemblies to each other, and thus the manufacturing process is easy.

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 a will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 a, 14 b of FIG. 2A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 c are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 2A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 a have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 2A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has only an extraordinary light component. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has only an ordinary light component. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 a, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 2A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 b have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively. The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 2A, and thus it becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, both of the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to zero. On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIGS. 2A and 2B, so that it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, ordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and also have both the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 b and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 a, the liquid crystal panel 4 a produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise.

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 2A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 a are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 a, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 2A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 a are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 a, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A second embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 b in place of the liquid crystal penal 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 b.

The liquid crystal panel 4 b is achieved by using a single glass substrate 11 e in place of the glass substrates 11 b, 11 c of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A. The liquid crystal panel 4 b is designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A, and thus it is suitably used to miniaturize the optical head device.

A method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 b of this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 a of the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 b, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

A third embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 c in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 c.

The liquid crystal panel 4 c is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 a is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 a and 11 b, a liquid crystal portion 12 c is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 c and 11 d, and the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 b, 11 c which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 a, 12 c) side are attached to both the surfaces of a half wavelength plate 15 respectively. A pattern electrode 13 a is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 a which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 a, an overall-surface electrode 14 a is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 b which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 a, a pattern electrode 13 b is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 c which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 c, and an overall-surface electrode 14 b is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 d which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 c. The pattern electrode 13 a and the overall-surface electrode 14 a may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 b and the overall-surface electrode 14 b may be positionally replaced by each other.

The X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction in FIG. 3A corresponds to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. The direction of the optical axis of the half wavelength plate 15 intersects to the X and Y directions at an angle of ±45 degrees. The electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a, 13 b when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 c is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant). Further, the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a, 13 b when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 c is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 c will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 a, 14 b of FIG. 3A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 3A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 c are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 3A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 3A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 3A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 3A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 a have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 3A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has only an extraordinary light component. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has only an ordinary light component. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portion 12 a has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a of FIG. 3A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 a, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 3A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a of FIG. 3A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 c of FIG. 3A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 3A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 c have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively. The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 3A by the action of the half wavelength plate 15, and thus it becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, both of the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 b of FIG. 3A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to zero. On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 3A by the action of the half wavelength plate 15, so that it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, ordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and also have both the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 b of FIG. 3A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 c and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 c, the liquid crystal panel 4 c produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The liquid crystal panel 4 c can be mass-produced at low price because the assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 a, 11 b and the liquid crystal portion 12 a and the assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 c, 11 d and the liquid crystal portion 12 c have the same construction.

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 3A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 c of FIG. 3A, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 c are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 c, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 3A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 c of FIG. 3A, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 c are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 c, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A fourth embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 d in place of the liquid crystal penal 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 d.

The liquid crystal panel 4 d is achieved by using a single half wavelength plate 15 in place of the glass substrates 11 b, 11 c and the half wavelength plate 15 of the liquid crystal panel 4 c shown in FIG. 3A. The liquid crystal panel 4 d can be designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 c shown in FIG. 3A, and thus it is suitable to miniaturize the optical head device.

The driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 d of this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 c of the third embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention. According to this embodiment, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 d, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the third embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of an optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention.

The optical information recording/reproducing device of this embodiment is achieved by adding the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1 with a reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 a. The reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 detects a reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 on the basis of the output of each photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10. The liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 a drives the liquid crystal panel 4 a so that the amplitude of the reproduction signal is maximum, whereby the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected and the harmful influence on the recording/reproducing characteristic is excluded.

Other embodiments of the optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention may be achieved by adding the reproduction signal detecting circuit and the liquid crystal panel driving circuit to each of the second to fourth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

The optical head device of this embodiment is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 e in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A in the conventional optical head device shown in FIG. 14 and also positionally replacing the liquid crystal panel 4 e and the quarter wavelength plate 5. The pattern of the photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10 in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 15. According to this embodiment, a focus error signal, a track error signal and a reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 are achieved in the same manner as described for the conventional optical head device.

The construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 e of this embodiment has the same construction as the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A in the conventional optical head device. The electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 e is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

Further, the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 e is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 e will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 g of FIG. 16A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 c are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A are twisted nematic liquid crystal. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction on the XY plane of FIGS. 16A to 16C. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the Z direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the orientation direction is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction in the intermediate direction between the XY plane and the Z direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n have birefringence characteristic, and thus the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o) and n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes of the liquid crystal molecules for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively. The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is counterclockwisely circularly polarized or clockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the emission light has both of the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component, and the ratio thereof is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the emission light becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the emission light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 n, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

The reflection light from the disc 7 is clockwisely circularly polarized or counterclockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, and the ratio of the components is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 n, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 e, the liquid crystal panel 4 e produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The liquid crystal panel 4 e is simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 a, 4 b shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and the liquid crystal panels 4 c, 4 d shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and thus it can be more easily manufactured. Further, it is more suitable for miniaturize the optical head device because it can be reduced in thickness. However, since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 e are twisted nematic liquid crystal molecules, they have a disadvantage that the response speed is lower than the nematic liquid crystal molecules.

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 e are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 e, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 e are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 e, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention.

The optical information recording/reproducing device of this embodiment is achieved by adding the fifth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 5 with a reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 b. The reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 detects the reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 on the basis of the output of each photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10. The liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 b drives the liquid crystal panel 4 e so that the amplitude of the reproduction signal is maximum, whereby the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected and the harmful influence on the recording/reproducing characteristic can be excluded.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

The optical head device of this embodiment is achieved by providing a liquid crystal panel 4 f between the collimator lens 2 and the polarization beam splitter 3 in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A of the conventional optical head device shown in FIG. 14, and further providing a liquid crystal panel 4 g between the polarization beam splitter 3 and the cylindrical lens 8.

The liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g may be provided between the polarization beam splitter 3 and the quarter wavelength plate 5. The pattern of the photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the focus error signal, the track error signal and the reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 can be achieved by the same method as described for the conventional optical head device.

The construction of the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g in this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A of the conventional optical head. The electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 f, 4 g is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant). The electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrode 14 g of FIG. 16A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A which constitutes the liquid crystal panel 4 f are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIGS. 16 to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive index thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is represented by n_(f).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 f has only an extraordinary light component. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 f has only an ordinary light component. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 f has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a of FIG. 3A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 n, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light. The reflection light from the disc 7 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 f.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A which constitutes the liquid crystal panel 4 g are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions of FIGS. 16A to 16C when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 n have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive index thereof for the reflection light from the disc 7 is represented by n_(r). The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 g. The reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIGS. 16A to 16C, and thus it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 m of FIG. 16A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 n and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 f, the liquid crystal panel 4 f produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1), and by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 g, the liquid crystal panel 4 g likewise produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7). The liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g are simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 a, 4 b shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and the liquid crystal panels 4 c, 4 d shown in FIG. 3, and thus it can be more easily manufactured.

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n (shown in FIG. 16A) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 f and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n (shown in FIG. 16A) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 g, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 f are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 g are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 f and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 n of FIG. 16A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 g, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 f are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 g are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention.

The optical information recording/reproducing device of this embodiment is achieved by adding a reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 c to the sixth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 7.

The reproduction signal detecting circuit 16 detects the reproduction signal recorded on the disc 7 on the basis of the output of each photodetecting portion of the photodetector 10. The liquid crystal panel driving circuit 17 c drives the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g so that the amplitude of the reproduction signal is maximum, whereby the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected, and the harmful influence on the recording/reproducing characteristic can be excluded.

A seventh embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 h in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 h.

The liquid crystal panel 4 h is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 d is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 f, 11 g, a liquid crystal portion 12 e is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 h, 11 i, and a liquid crystal portion 12 f is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 j, 11 k, a liquid crystal portion 12 g is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 l, 11 m, the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 g, 11 h which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 d, 12 e) side are attached to each other, the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 i, 11 j which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 e, 12 f) are attached to each other, and the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 k, 11 l which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 f, 12 g) are attached to each other. A pattern electrode 13 c is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 f which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 d, an overall-surface electrode 14 c is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 g which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 d, a pattern electrode 13 d is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 h which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 e, an overall-surface electrode 14 d is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 i which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 e, a pattern electrode 13 e is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 j which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 f, an overall-surface electrode 14 e is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 k which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 f, a pattern electrode 13 f is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 l which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 g, and an overall-surface electrode 14 f is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 m which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 g.

The pattern electrode 13 c and the overall electrode 14 c may be positionally replaced by each other, the pattern electrode 13 d and the overall-surface electrode 14 d may be positionally replaced by each other, the pattern electrode 13 e and the overall-surface electrode 14 e may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 f and the overall-surface electrode 14 f may be positionally replaced by each other.

In FIG. 9A, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. By using the liquid crystal panel 4 h, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. The electrode pattern formed for pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 e for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

Further, the electrode pattern formed for pattern electrodes 13 d, 13 f for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by •β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant). The liquid crystal panel 4 h may be manufactured by forming an assembly of the glass substrates 11 f, 11 g and the liquid crystal portion 12 d, an assembly of the glass substrates 11 h, 11 i and the liquid crystal portion 12 e, an assembly of the glass substrates 11 j, 11 k and the liquid crystal portion 12 f and an assembly of the glass substrates 11 l, 11 m and the liquid crystal portion 12 g separately from one another and then attaching these assemblies to one another. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 4 h can be more easily manufactured.

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 h will be described above.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 c to 14 f shown in FIG. 9A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of each electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c to 13 f of FIG. 9A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e of FIG. 9A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 is represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 9A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 d of FIG. 9A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 9A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 d of FIG. 9A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g of FIG. 9A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions of FIG. 9A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 9A, so that the emission light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 e, 13 f of FIG. 9A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 9A, and thus it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrode 13 e, 13 f of FIG. 9A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 h, the liquid crystal panel 4 h produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7).

In this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. If the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 d (shown in FIG. 9A) for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 f (shown in FIG. 9A) for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 h are canceled by each other for both the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 h, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 e of FIG. 9A on the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 g of FIG. 9A on the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 h are canceled by each other for both of the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 h, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

An eighth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 i in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 i.

The liquid crystal panel 4 i is constructed such that the glass substrates 11 g, 11 h of the liquid crystal panel 4 h shown in FIG. 9A are replaced by a single glass substrate 11 n, the glass substrates 11 i, 11 j are replaced by a single glass substrate 11 o, and the glass substrates 11 k, 11 l are replaced by a single glass substrate 11 p. Since the liquid crystal panel 4 i can be designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 h shown in FIG. 9A, this liquid crystal panel 4 i is suitably applied to miniaturize the optical head device.

The driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 i of this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 h of the seventh embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention. In this embodiment, even when both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 are corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 i at the same time, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the seventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

A ninth embodiment of the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 j in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 j.

The liquid crystal panel 4 j is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 d is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 f, 11 g, a liquid crystal portion 12 e is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 h, 11 i, and a liquid crystal portion 12 f is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 j, 11 k, a liquid crystal portion 12 g is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 l, 11 m, the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 g, 11 h which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 d, 12 e) side are attached to each other, the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 k, 11 l which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 f, 12 g) are attached to each other, and the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 i, 11 j which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 e, 12 f) are attached to both of the surfaces of a half wavelength plate 15, respectively.

A pattern electrode 13 c is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 f which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 d, an overall-surface electrode 14 c is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 g which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 d, a pattern electrode 13 d is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 h which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 e, an overall-surface electrode 14 d is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 i which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 e, a pattern electrode 13 e is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 j which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 f, an overall-surface electrode 14 e is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 k which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 f, a pattern electrode 13 f is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 l which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 g, and an overall-surface electrode 14 f is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 m which confronts the liquid crystal portion 12 g.

The pattern electrode 13 c and the overall electrode 14 c may be positionally replaced by each other, the pattern electrode 13 d and the overall-surface electrode 14 d may be positionally replaced by each other, the pattern electrode 13 e and the overall-surface electrode 14 e may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 f and the overall-surface electrode 14 f may be positionally replaced by each other.

In FIG. 10A, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. The direction of the optical axis of the half wavelength plate 15 intersects to the X and Y directions at an angle of ±45 degrees.

By using the liquid crystal panel 4 j, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. The electrode pattern formed for pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 e for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

Further, the electrode pattern formed for pattern electrodes 13 d, 13 f for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

A method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 j will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 c to 14 f shown in FIG. 10A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of each electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c to 13 f of FIG. 10A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

In the case where the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e of FIG. 10A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 is represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 10A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 d of FIG. 10A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 10A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 c, 13 d of FIG. 10A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g of FIG. 10A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 10A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 10A by action of the half wavelength plate 15, so that the emission light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 e, 13 f of FIG. 10A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 10A by action of the half wavelength plate 15, and thus it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 e, 13 f of FIG. 10A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 j, the liquid crystal panel 4 j produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The liquid crystal panel 4 j can be mass-produced at low price because the assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 f to 11 i and the liquid crystal portions 12 d, 12 e and the assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 j to 11 m and the liquid crystal portions 12 f, 12 g have the same construction.

In this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. If the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 d (shown in FIG. 10A) for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 f (shown in FIG. 10A) for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 j are canceled by each other for both the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 j, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 e of FIG. 10A on the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 g of FIG. 10A on the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 j are canceled by each other for both of the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path likewise. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 j, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A tenth embodiment of the present invention of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 k in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 k.

The liquid crystal panel 4 k is constructed such that the glass substrates 11 g, 11 h of the liquid crystal panel 4 j shown in FIG. 10A are replaced by a single glass substrate 11 n, the glass substrates 11 k, 11 l are replaced by a single glass substrate 11 p, and the glass substrates 11 i, 11 j and the half wavelength plate 15 are replaced by a single half wavelength plate 15. The liquid crystal panel 4 k can be designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 j shown in FIG. 10A, and thus it is suitably applicable to miniaturize the optical head device.

The driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 k of this embodiment is the same as the driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 j of the ninth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 are corrected at the same time by using the liquid crystal panel 4 k, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the ninth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

An eleventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 l in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 l.

The liquid crystal panel 4 l is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 j is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 q, 11 r, a liquid crystal portion 12 k is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 s, 11 t, and the glass substrates 11 r, 11 s are attached to each other so that the surfaces thereof at the opposite sides to the liquid crystal portion (12 j, 12 k) side are confronted to each other. A pattern electrode 13 g is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 q which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 j) side, a pattern electrode 13 h is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 r which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 j) side, a pattern electrode 13 i is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 s which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 k) side, and a pattern electrode 13 j is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 t which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 k) side. The pattern electrode 13 g and the pattern electrode 13 h may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 i and the pattern electrode 13 j may be positionally replaced by each other.

In FIG. 11A, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. The liquid crystal panel 4 l is achieved by replacing the overall-surface electrode of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A by the pattern electrodes.

By using the liquid crystal panel 4 l, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. An electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 i for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

An electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 h, 13 j for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

The liquid crystal panel 4 l may be manufactured by forming an assembly of the glass substrates 11 q, 11 r and the liquid crystal portion 12 j and an assembly of the glass substrates 11 s, 11 t and the liquid crystal portion 12 k separately from each other and then attaching the assemblies to each other, and thus the manufacturing process is easy.

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 l will be described.

A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g to 13 j of FIG. 11A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 11A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 j have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 11A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the emission light becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the emission light becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the emission light has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 h of FIG. 11A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 j, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 11A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 h of FIG. 11A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 k of FIG. 11A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions of FIG. 11A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 k have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively.

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 11A, and thus it becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, both of the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 i, 13 j of FIG. 11A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to zero.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 11A, so that it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, ordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and also have both the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 i, 13 j of FIG. 11A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 k and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 l, the liquid crystal panel 4 l produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise.

According to this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 11A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 k of FIG. 11A, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 l are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 l, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 11A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 k of FIG. 11A, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 l are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 l, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A twelfth embodiment of the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 m in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 m.

The liquid crystal panel 4 m is achieved by replacing the glass substrates 11 r, 11 s of the liquid crystal panel 4 l shown in FIG. 11A by a single glass substrate 11 u. The liquid crystal panel 4 m can be designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 l shown in FIG. 11A, and thus it is suitably applicable to miniaturize the optical head device of the present invention.

The driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 m of this embodiment is the same as the driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 l of the eleventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, even when both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 are corrected at the same time by using the liquid crystal panel 4 m, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the eleventh embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

A thirteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 n in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A of the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12A shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 n.

The liquid crystal panel 4 n is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 j is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 q, 11 r, a liquid crystal portion 12 l is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 s, 11 t, and the surfaces of the glass substrates 11 r, 11 s which are respectively located at the opposite side to the liquid crystal portion (12 j, 12 l) side are attached to both the surfaces of a half wavelength plate 15, respectively. A pattern electrode 13 g is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 11 q which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 j) side, a pattern electrode 13 h is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 r which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 j) side, a pattern electrode 13 i is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 s which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 l) side, and a pattern electrode 13 j is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 t which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 l) side. The pattern electrode 13 g and the pattern electrode 13 h may be positionally replaced by each other, and the pattern electrode 13 i and the pattern electrode 13 j may be positionally replaced by each other.

In FIG. 12A, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively. The direction of the optical axis of the half wavelength plate 15 intersects to the X and Y directions at an angle of ±45 degrees. The liquid crystal panel 4 n is achieved by replacing the overall-surface electrode of the liquid crystal panel 4 c shown in FIG. 3A by the pattern electrodes.

By using the liquid crystal panel 4 n, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. Electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 i for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

An electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrodes 13 h, 13 j for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 n will be described.

A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g to 13 j of FIG. 12A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the area 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 12A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 j have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes thereof to the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 12A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the emission light becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the emission light becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the emission light has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 h of FIG. 12A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 j, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 12A, so that the reflection light becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(r) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 g, 13 h of FIG. 12A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are equal to zero.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 l of FIG. 12A are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 12A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 l have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive indexes thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively.

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 12A by the action of the half wavelength plate 15, and thus it becomes ordinary light irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. Accordingly, n_(f) is equal to n_(o) irrespective of the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, both of the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 i, 13 j of FIG. 12A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to zero.

On the other hand, the reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 12A by the action of the half wavelength plate 15, so that it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, ordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and also have both the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 i, 13 j of FIG. 12A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 l and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 n, the liquid crystal panel 4 n produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 q, 11 r and the liquid crystal portion 12 j and the assembly comprising the glass substrates 11 s, 11 t and the liquid crystal portion 12 l have the same construction, so that the liquid crystal panel 4 n can be mass-produced at low price.

According to this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 12A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 l of FIG. 12A, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 n are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 n, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 j of FIG. 12A and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 l of FIG. 12A, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 n are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 n, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A fourteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is achieved by using a liquid crystal panel 4 o in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12B shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 o.

The liquid crystal panel 4 o is achieved by replacing the glass substrates 11 r, 11 s and the half wavelength plate 15 of the liquid crystal panel 4 n shown in FIG. 12A by a single half wavelength plate 15. The liquid crystal panel 4 o can be designed to be thinner in thickness than the liquid crystal panel 4 n shown in FIG. 12A, and thus it is suitably applicable to miniaturize the optical head device of the present invention.

The driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 o of this embodiment is the same as the driving method of the liquid crystal panel 4 n of the thirteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, even when both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 are corrected at the same time by using the liquid crystal panel 4 o, a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved by the same reason as described in the thirteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention.

An embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention may be implemented by adding a reproduction signal detecting circuit and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit to each of the seventh to fourteenth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention.

A fifteenth embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention is implemented by using a liquid crystal panel 4 p in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 e of the fifth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 5.

The construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 p of this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A in the first embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention. The substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time by using the liquid crystal panel 4 p. An electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 a for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant).

An electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 b for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 p will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 a, 14 b of FIG. 2A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b of FIG. 2A are twisted nematic liquid crystal. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction on the XY plane of FIG. 2A. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 2A. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the orientation direction is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction in the intermediate direction between the XY plane and the Z direction of FIG. 2A.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b have birefringence characteristic, and thus the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o) and n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes of the liquid crystal molecules for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively.

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is counterclockwisely circularly polarized or clockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the emission light has both of the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component, and the ratio thereof is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the emission light becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the emission light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

The reflection light from the disc 7 is clockwisely circularly polarized or counterclockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, and the ratio of the components is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 p, the liquid crystal panel 4 p produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The liquid crystal panel 4 p is simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 h, 4 i shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B and the liquid crystal panels 4 j, 4 k shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and thus it can be more easily manufactured. Further, it is more suitable for miniaturize the optical head device because it can be reduced in thickness. However, since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 p are twisted nematic liquid crystal molecules, they have a disadvantage that the response speed is lower than the nematic liquid crystal molecules.

According to this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. If the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a of FIG. 2A for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 p are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 p, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, if the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 p are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 p, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

A sixteenth embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention is implemented by using a liquid crystal panel 4 q in place of the liquid crystal panel 4 e of the fifth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 shows the construction of the liquid crystal panel 4 q.

The liquid crystal panel 4 q is constructed such that a liquid crystal portion 12 m is sandwiched between glass substrates 11 v, 11 w. A pattern electrode 13 k is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 v which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 m) side, and a pattern electrode 13 l is formed on the surface of the glass substrate 11 w which confronts the liquid crystal portion (12 m) side. The pattern electrodes 13 k and 13 l may be positionally replaced by each other. In FIG. 13, the X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction correspond to the radial direction of the disc 7, the tangent line direction of the disc 7 and the optical axis direction, respectively.

The liquid crystal panel 4 q is implemented by replacing the overall-surface electrode of the liquid crystal panel 4 v shown in FIG. 16A by a pattern electrode. The substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time by using the liquid crystal panel 4 q.

An electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 k for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by a in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant). An electrode pattern formed for the pattern electrode 13 l for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panel 4 q will be described.

A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 are twisted nematic liquid crystal. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction on the XY plane of FIG. 13. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 13. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the orientation direction is rotated at a predetermined period around the Z axis along the Z direction in the intermediate direction between the XY plane and the Z direction of FIG. 13.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m have birefringence characteristic, and thus the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o) and n_(e). Further, the refractive indexes of the liquid crystal molecules for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 and the reflection light from the disc 7 are represented by n_(f), n_(r), respectively.

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is counterclockwisely circularly polarized or clockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the emission light has both of the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component, and the ratio thereof is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the emission light becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the emission light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13 and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 m, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

The reflection light from the disc 7 is clockwisely circularly polarized or counterclockwisely circularly polarized by the action of the quarter wavelength plate 5. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, and the ratio of the components is 1:1. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component, however, the ordinary light component has a higher rate than the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between (n_(e)+n_(o))/2 and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13 and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 m, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 q, the liquid crystal panel 4 q produces the wave aberration for both of the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7) likewise. The liquid crystal panel 4 q is simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 l, 4 m shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B and the liquid crystal panels 4 n, 4 o shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, and thus it can be more easily manufactured. Further, it is more suitable for miniaturize the optical head device because it can be reduced in thickness. However, since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 q are twisted nematic liquid crystal molecules, they have a disadvantage that the response speed is lower than the nematic liquid crystal molecules.

According to this embodiment, the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. If the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 q are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 q, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, if the following equations: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β and (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β are satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 q are likewise canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path and the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panel 4 q, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

An embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention may be implemented by adding a reproduction signal detecting circuit and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit to each of the fifteenth and sixteenth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention.

A seventeenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is implemented by replacing the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g of the sixth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 7 by liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s.

The construction of the liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s in this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 a shown in FIG. 2A according to the first embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention. By using the liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time.

An electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode 13 a for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant). An electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode 13 b for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s will be described.

A constant voltage V_(COM) is applied to the overall-surface electrodes 14 a, 14 b of FIG. 2A. A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b of FIG. 2A which constitute the liquid crystal panel 4 r are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive index thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is represented by n_(f).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 2A. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 r becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 r becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 r has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a,13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light. The reflection light from the disc 7 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 r.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b of FIG. 2A which constitute the liquid crystal panel 4 s are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions of FIG. 2A when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive index thereof for the reflection light from the disc 7 is represented by n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 s. The reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 2A, and thus it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 a, 13 b of FIG. 2A and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of each of the liquid crystal portions 12 a, 12 b and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 r, the liquid crystal panel 4 r produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1), and by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 s, the liquid crystal panel 4 s likewise produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7). The liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s are simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 h, 4 i shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B and the liquid crystal panels 4 j, 4 k shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, and thus it can be more easily manufactured.

According to this embodiment, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a (shown in FIG. 2A) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 r and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 a (shown in FIG. 2A) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 s, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 r are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 s are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, in the case where the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected in this embodiment, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 r and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 b of FIG. 2A constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 s, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 r are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 s are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 r, 4 s, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

An eighteenth embodiment of the optical head device according to the present invention is implemented by using liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u in place of the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g of the sixth embodiment of the optical head device shown in FIG. 7.

The construction of the liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u in this embodiment is the same as the liquid crystal panel 4 q shown in FIG. 13 according to the sixteenth embodiment of the optical head device of the present invention. The liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u are implemented by replacing the overall surface electrodes of the liquid crystal panels 4 f, 4 g by pattern electrodes. By using the liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time.

An electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode 13 k for the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16B. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by “0” in each of the areas 21 a, 21 e of FIG. 16B, by α in each of the areas 21 b, 21 d and by 2α in the area 21 c (α represents a constant). An electrode pattern formed for a pattern electrode 131 for the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is shown in FIG. 16C. The correction amount of the wave aberration is represented by −β in each of the areas 21 f, 21 i of FIG. 16C, by “0” in the area 21 h and by β in each of the areas 21 g, 21 j (β represents a constant).

Next, a method of driving the liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u will be described.

A voltage represented by a rectangular wave having a frequency of about 1 kHz in which V_(COM) is located at the center thereof and the amplitude thereof corresponds to V₁ (V₂, V₃) is applied to the first to third areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13. At this time, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas is proportional to (V₁−V₂), and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas is proportional to (V₂−V₃).

With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the area 21 c of FIG. 16B is set to the first area, the areas 21 b, 21 d are set to the second area, the areas 21 a, 21 e are set to the third area, and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kα (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 c and the areas 21 b, 21 d and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 b, 21 d and the areas 21 a, 21 e can be set to the same value α. Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the areas 21 g, 21 j of FIG. 16C are set to the first area, the area 21 h is set to the second area, the areas 21 f, 21 i are set to the third area and V₁−V₂=V₂−V₃=Kβ (K represents a proportionality constant), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the areas 21 g, 21 j and the area 21 h and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the area 21 h and the areas 21 f, 21 i can be set to the same value β.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 which constitutes the liquid crystal panel 4 t are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These liquid crystal molecules are oriented in the X direction of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the X and Z directions of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m have birefringence characteristic and thus the refractive indexes thereof to ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e). Further, the refractive index thereof for the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is represented by n_(f).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 is linearly polarized light parallel to the X direction of FIG. 13. Therefore, when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 t becomes extraordinary light. On the other hand, when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 t becomes ordinary light. When V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel 4 t has both the ordinary light component and the extraordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(f) is varied between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the value of V₁ to V₃. At this time, representing the values of n_(f) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ by n_(f1) to n_(f3) respectively, the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13 and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration in the second and third areas are represented by (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ, (n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 m, and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light. The reflection light from the disc 7 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 t.

The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 which constitutes the liquid crystal panel 4 u are nematic liquid crystal molecules. These molecules are oriented in the Y direction of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero, oriented in the Z direction of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, and oriented in the intermediate direction between the Y and Z directions of FIG. 13 when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values. Since the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal portion 12 m have birefringence characteristic, the refractive indexes thereof for ordinary light and extraordinary light are represented by n_(o), n_(e), respectively. Further, the refractive index thereof for the reflection light from the disc 7 is represented by n_(r).

The emission light from the semiconductor laser 1 does not pass through the liquid crystal panel 4 u. The reflection light from the disc 7 is linearly polarized light parallel to the Y direction of FIG. 13, and thus it becomes extraordinary light when V₁ to V₃ are equal to zero. When V₁ to V₃ are sufficiently large, the reflection light becomes ordinary light, and when V₁ to V₃ are equal to the intermediate values, the reflection light has both of the extraordinary light component and the ordinary light component. Accordingly, n_(r) varies between n_(e) and n_(o) in correspondence with the values of V₁ to V₃. At this time, if the values of n_(r) corresponding to V₁ to V₃ are represented by n_(r1) to n_(r3), the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the first and second areas of the electrode patterns formed for the pattern electrodes 13 k, 13 l of FIG. 13 and the difference of the correction amount of the wave aberration between the second and third areas are equal to (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ, (n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ, respectively when they are standardized by the wavelength of the incident light. Here, h represents the thickness of the liquid crystal portion 12 m and λ represents the wavelength of the incident light.

That is, by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 t, the liquid crystal panel 4 t produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the semiconductor laser 1), and by driving the liquid crystal panel 4 u, the liquid crystal panel 4 u likewise produces the wave aberration for the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the disc 7). The liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u are simpler in structure than the liquid crystal panels 4 l, 4 m shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B and the liquid crystal panels 4 n, 4 o shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, and thus it can be more easily manufactured.

According to this embodiment, both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 can be corrected at the same time. With respect to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m (shown in FIG. 13A) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 t and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=α is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m (shown in FIG. 13) constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 u, the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 t are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 u are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u, a focus error signal having no offset can be achieved.

Further, with respect to the correction of the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7, if the following equation: (n_(f1)−n_(f2))h/λ=(n_(f2)−n_(f3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 t and the following equation: (n_(r1)−n_(r2))h/λ=(n_(r2)−n_(r3))h/λ=β is satisfied for the liquid crystal portion 12 m of FIG. 13 constituting the liquid crystal panel 4 u, the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 t are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the going path, and also the wave aberration due to the tilt in the radial direction and the wave aberration produced by the liquid crystal panel 4 u are canceled by each other for the light traveling on the returning path. Therefore, no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution does not vary. Accordingly, even when the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected by using the liquid crystal panels 4 t, 4 u, a focus error signal having high sensitivity can be achieved.

An embodiment of the optical information recording/reproducing device according to the present invention may be implemented by adding a reproduction signal detecting circuit and a liquid crystal panel driving circuit to each of the seventeenth and eighteenth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention.

The detection of the focus error signal is performed by using the astigmatism method in the first to eighteenth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention. However, the detection of the focus error signal may be performed by using a Foucault method or spot size method.

In the first to eighteenth embodiments of the optical head device according to the present invention, any one or both of the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 and the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 are corrected by using a liquid crystal panel(s). However, the tilt in the tangent line direction of the disc 7 may be corrected. An electrode pattern formed in a pattern electrode when the tilt in the tangent line direction of the disc 7 is achieved by rotating the electrode pattern 20 b of FIG. 16C around the Z axis by 90 degrees. If the electrode pattern when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected is replaced by the electrode pattern when the tilt in the tangent line direction of the disc 7 is corrected, the tilt in the tangent line direction can be corrected in place of the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation or the tilt in the radial direction. If the electrode pattern when the substrate-thickness deviation of the disc 7 or the tilt in the radial direction of the disc 7 is corrected is added to the electrode pattern when the tilt in the tangent line direction of the disc 7 is corrected, the tilt in the tangent line direction can be corrected in addition to the correction of the substrate-thickness deviation or the tilt in the radial direction.

As described above, according to the optical head device of the present invention, by driving the liquid crystal panel(s), the wave aberration can be likewise produced for the light traveling on the going path (the emission light from the light source) and the light traveling on the returning path (the reflection light from the optical recording medium).

Further, according to the optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention, by using the optical head device of the present invention which can correct the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium by using the liquid crystal panel(s), the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of the optical recording medium is corrected so as to prevent the recording/reproducing characteristic from suffering a harmful influence.

The effect of the optical head device and the optical information recording/reproducing device of the present invention resides in that a focus error signal having no offset and high sensitivity can be achieved even when the substrate-thickness deviation or tilt of an optical recording medium is corrected by using a liquid crystal panel(s). This is because the wave aberration due to the substrate-thickness deviation or the tilt and the wave aberration generated by the liquid crystal panel are likewise canceled by each other for both of light traveling on a going path and light traveling on a returning path, so that no wave aberration remains for the light traveling on the returning path and thus the phase distribution is not varied. 

1. An optical head device comprising a light source, an objective lens for focusing onto an optical recording medium the light which is emitted from said light source and travels on a going path, a photodetector for detecting the light which is reflected from said optical recording medium and travels on a returning path, and a liquid crystal panel for producing wave aberration by which the wave aberration of the light traveling on the going path is canceled, wherein said liquid crystal panel further produces wave aberration by which the wave aberration of the light traveling on the returning path is canceled, further comprising: a polarization beam splitter for separating an optical path extending from said light source to said optical recording medium and an optical path extending from said optical recording medium to said photodetector, and a quarter wavelength plate provided between said polarization beam splitter and said objective lens, wherein said liquid crystal panel comprises a first liquid crystal panel disposed between said light source and said polarization beam splitter or between said polarization beam splitter and said quarter wavelength plate, and a second liquid crystal panel disposed between said polarization beam splitter and said photodetector or between said polarization beam splitter and said quarter wavelength plate.
 2. The optical head device as clamed in claim 1, wherein said first liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate, a first liquid crystal portion and a second substrate which are laminated in this order, and said second liquid crystal panel comprises a third substrate, a second liquid crystal portion and a fourth substrate which are laminated in this order.
 3. The optical head device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said first substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion and the surface of said second substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion while a first overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface, and a second pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said third substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion and the surface of said fourth substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion while a second overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface.
 4. The optical head device as claimed in claim 3, wherein electrode patterns formed for the first and second pattern electrodes are identical to each other.
 5. The optical head device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the liquid crystal molecules of said first and second liquid crystal portions are nematic liquid crystal molecules, and when no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules of said first liquid crystal portion and the liquid crystal molecules of said second liquid crystal portion are oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
 6. The optical head device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the light traveling on the going path is incident as linearly polarized light to said first liquid crystal panel, and the light traveling on the returning path is incident to said second liquid crystal panel as linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is substantially perpendicular to that of the light traveling on the going path.
 7. The optical head device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said first substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion and the surface of said second substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion while a second pattern electrode is formed on the other surface, and a third pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said third substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion and the surface of said fourth substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion while a fourth pattern electrode is formed on the other surface.
 8. The optical head device as claimed in claim 7, wherein electrode patterns formed for said first and third pattern electrodes are identical to each other, and electrode patterns formed for said second and fourth pattern electrodes are identical to each other.
 9. The optical head device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal molecules of said first and second liquid crystal portions are nematic liquid crystal molecules, and when no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules of said first liquid crystal portion and the liquid crystal molecules of said second liquid crystal portion are oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
 10. The optical head device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the light traveling on the going path is incident as linearly polarized light to said first liquid crystal panel, and the light traveling on the returning path is incident to said second liquid crystal panel as linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is substantially perpendicular to that of the light traveling on the going path.
 11. The optical head device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first liquid crystal panel comprises a first substrate, a first liquid crystal portion, a second substrate, a second liquid crystal portion and a third substrate which are laminated in this order, and said second liquid crystal panel comprises a fourth substrate, a third liquid crystal portion, a fifth substrate, a fourth liquid crystal portion and a sixth substrate which are laminated in this order.
 12. The optical head device as claimed in claim 11, wherein a first pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said first substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion and the surface of said second substrate which confronts said first liquid crystal portion while a first overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface, a second pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said second substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion and the surface of said third substrate which confronts said second liquid crystal portion while a second overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface, a third pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said fourth substrate which confronts said third liquid crystal portion and the surface of said fifth substrate which confronts said third liquid crystal portion while a third overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface, and a fourth pattern electrode is formed on any one of the surface of said fifth substrate which confronts said fourth liquid crystal portion and the surface of said sixth substrate which confronts said fourth liquid crystal portion while a fourth overall-surface electrode is formed on the other surface.
 13. The optical head device as claimed in claim 12, wherein electrode patterns formed for said first and third pattern electrodes are identical to each other, and electrode patterns formed for said second and fourth pattern electrodes are identical to each other.
 14. The optical head device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the liquid crystal molecules of said first to fourth liquid crystal portions are nematic liquid crystal molecules, and when no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules of said first and second liquid crystal portions and the liquid crystal molecules of said third and fourth liquid crystal portions are oriented so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other within a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
 15. The optical head device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the light traveling on the going path is incident as linearly polarized light to said first liquid crystal panel, and the light traveling on the returning path is incident to said second liquid crystal panel as linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is substantially perpendicular to that of the light traveling on the going path. 